"Music is transformative, and when people harmonize together, they pass that joy and love of music around."

-Enrico '24

"Of course, as a choir, we all are individual members and singers. But the beauty of choir and making music as a whole is much less about this separated, less concentrated experience. We experience such a disconnect because that interaction in our choir is vital to staying connected to ourselves."

-Zoe J. '23

At the beginning of the semester students in Breck Singers were introduced to the choral piece, "The Awakening," by Joseph Martin. They were asked to read the text (below), listen to the recording and compare the text to their feelings about our year of not singing as a choir. Their responses were heartfelt and beautiful and will be scattered throughout this web page. We never imagined a world where we could not make music together, but we are hopeful that soon the day will arrive when we can awaken from this "dream" and sing together safely as a choir. We plan to perform this piece next fall and can't wait until the day we can sing our first chord together in the choir room.

Melissa Hanson, Director

"Personally, I think this piece is incredibly beautiful and has a lot of potential next year. It is sad that I won’t be able to be here to see it performed. Choir has been a special place for me, and to not be able to sing this year has been saddening and less than optimal… I absolutely miss music and the ability to sing in school.

…. I’m so grateful that, even though this has been far from the normal year, I’m able to take choir one last time."

-Josh '21

"There was a feeling of hopelessness and things felt very dark. I remember, one day, there was a news report from the BBC about social distancing, and choirs taking place in Europe outside, and at the end, there was a piece from the small choir singing together, and I remember crying since it had been so long since I had heard a group singing together and the emotional response that the singing had evicted from me had been so powerful."

-Jack '22

"I sometimes feel like my inability to sing is an inability to express how I feel and then all of those emotions lay dormant (or asleep). I miss music so much, especially singing with other people because it is an emotional outlet for me."

-Claire '22

"As I imagine being back in the choir room, I can just imagine the excitement buzzing about the room. I feel like it would have the same energy as the shift in The Awakening, when everything is more exciting and brighter. It would probably feel strange to get back to singing, but in an awesome way."

-Riley '21

"What this piece of music means to me is that people can go through terrible things where it looks like there is no end to this sad life, but what this song symbolizes is it will always pass through, and even though you might be down at some points in your life. You will almost always come out a better and stronger person in the end."

-Zach '24

"When we all are back together in the future, it will feel a little strange at first to all sing together, but I predict everyone will be even better next year after focusing on their own voices for the whole year. Everyone will be super excited to be together again "

-Nina '22

"I miss singing as a choir but I think over quarantine, I have increased my own vocal confidence and ability. I have had more opportunities to sing by myself and I think my voice has gotten stronger."

-Eva '23

"The first time we come back it's going to be great and bring tears to our eyes. I can’t wait to be back on the risers next fall! We have such a fun and talented group of people I can’t wait to get back all together in the choir room again. The first time we sing together it’s going to be amazing, we have been all cooped up and not been able to sing in so long.

-Carter '22

"I definitely miss music and I’m realizing that I took all of my performing arts classes for granted. Performing, whether it be choir, acting, or anything else is something I’m really passionate about and before covid hit I would never have been able to imagine a time when it was just too unsafe to perform for people, or even go to school. That takes me back to the song, which first explained a world with no music, “Where no birds sang, No steeples rang, And teardrops fell like rain," which is what covid has done."

-Francis '24

"Not being able to sing in the full choir has been quite sad. The whole point of a choir is to be together and to add to each other’s voices. It’s been pretty hard not having everyone together to form that community."

-Gia '24

"To be able to sing again as a choir would be an absolute joy. I would love to be back in the alto section singing some upbeat fun songs and having a lot of fun with the other people in the choir."

-Eleanor '22